Special Correspondent
Jammu Tawi, May 20
Majority of people and political leaders of Kashmir continue to be led by the separatists campaign and that is the reason why on his visit to Kashmir, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, was welcomed by a complete shutdown despite the fact that it was none other than Modi who had cleared the halt on the pre-emptive security operations in the valley against the terrorists.
Separatists seem to be unmoved by the gesture shown by Modi who had gone against the senior Army functionaries who were opposed to halt the pre-emptive security operations when they were about to eliminate the militants.
But Modi wanted to keep the political arrangement in Jammu and Kashmir unchanged and he knew that Mehbooba was annoyed with the relentless combat operations launched by the security forces. She actually wanted the security forces and the Army to call off combat operations against the militants which could help the present Government in building “peace”.
In fact the police and the Army had made separate appeals to people to avoid clashing with the security forces. Pakistan has not reciprocated which is evident by the way its troops have resorted to incessant firing on various sectors on the International Border claiming five civilian and one BSF man's life.
Even these mainstream political leaders who wanted to enjoy privileges and perks had conveniently avoided the appeals from the Army and security forces that they should use their clout and talk to the people to help restoring peace. Even the Police Chief, Dr S. P. Vaid too has appealed to people to suggest to the youth to remain indoors and avoid clashing with the security forces.
But the incidents of clashes between the civilians and the security forces and the encounters between the militants and the security forces indicate that majority of people do not seem to be interested in unilateral ceasefire. Or they have come under the influence of separatists who want peace to be derailed allowing them the upper hand.
The so called mainstream opposition political parties on Sunday termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech about Kashmir as a mere statement, saying that these words should be transformed into action.
Modi while speaking to the gathering in Srinagar had stated that Kashmir issue cannot be solved by “bullets or abuses, but only by hugs”.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president, G A Mir informed that there was nothing special in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir. “Inaugurating project is a routine work. I believe that there was nothing special in his visit to all the regions of the state. A big signal his visit could have conveyed is missing on the ground,” he said.
He said that prior to visiting the state; Modi should have reviewed agenda of alliance between his party and PDP or should have discussed the situation with GOI's appointed interlocutor so that PM could have taken further steps in this regard.
“Modi has once again said that Kashmir needs hugs, neither abuse nor bullets. One fails to understand whom he is directing this. He is expert in making such statements but such statements at the same time should be transformed into actions,” he said.
National Conference (NC) provincial president, Nasir Aslam Wani told people of Kashmir have heard such statements in the past as well but the situation didn't change on the ground.
“These are mere statements and making such statements won't prove anything until these words will be transformed into action,” he said, adding that “we hope this time the PM will transform his words into action.”
CPI (M) senior leader and MLA Kulgam, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami said that making such statements doesn't make any sense. “We were expecting political back up to the ceasefire announced by the government of India. There has to be some political back up with this very exercise, which in our opinion is good beginning for the process of Confidence Building Measure (CBM),” he said.
“We were expecting a political initiative i.e. initiation of a credible process of dialogue with all the voices. I believe that he has repeated the whole thing; the speech he has made was not up to the mark and was not required as well. The least we required was a political back up to the ceasefire. In that sense people like us are disappointed,” he added.
